His Own Purpose and Grace

“He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time.”(2 Timothy 1:9 ESV)

Why did God give you salvation? God’s plan is crystal clear, and as Paul wrote Timothy, He, God, Saved us for His own purpose and grace. Without God’s grace, we could not receive salvation. As he often does, Paul reminds us that God determined our election before time.

Salvation, or σωτηρία (Strong’s 4991: sótéria), is rooted in the Greek verb σώζω (sózó), meaning "to save" or "to deliver." We are saved, but saved from what? In the early church, Gregory of Nyssa was one of those who believed Christ was a ransom to Satan. However, no scripture in the Bible indicates a debt owed to the enemy. This idea gives more power to Satan than he actually possesses. On the contrary, scripture tells us we owe God a debt, emphasizing His supreme power and authority.

Mark 10:45 shows us that the atonement is viewed as a ransom, but the payment was to God the Father. This helps us understand what we are saved from. Christ came in the incarnation to pay for the sins of humanity. Jesus is God; we know this to be a truth found in scripture, exampled in the Trinity. So, if we add all of this together, the answer is made perfectly clear.

We are saved by God, from God, for God. Paul, in today’s verse, expresses this very idea. You see, God saved us for His purpose and grace. Without the grace of God none of this would be available to us. Our faith comes by way of God’s grace. God’s grace determined our election. The grace of Jesus Christ was imputed to us by His grace. The grace of God figures into every aspect of the Christian life, and God’s grace and mercy never end and are new every single day. Let's take a moment to appreciate the magnitude of God's grace in our lives.

When we think about the “by, from, and for,” it reveals the love of God for His children. Every single sin will be paid for one way or the other. It will be paid for eternally by the wrath of God inflicted on the sinner, or it will be paid for through the blood of Christ. Which would you rather receive? It is not a difficult answer, and all it takes is to place your faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ.

On the cross, Jesus spoke the word Tetelestai (Strong’s 5055: τετέλεσται), which means 'it is finished.' Are you finished risking your eternity, your everlasting soul? He died for you; have faith in Him. It is through faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ that we receive salvation, not through our own efforts or deeds.

Grace and Peace.